Taylor Thompson | Tight End

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The NFLPA is looking into the Titans' release of TE Taylor Thompson.

The Titans waived Thompson Friday without an injury designation. However, he says he needs knee surgery for a lingering issue stemming back to last season. Thompson went as far to say he could undergo microfracture surgery, which would keep him off the field for the 2015 season. Jun 22 - 11:55 AM

Once upon a time, Thompson was an intriguing deep Dynasty prospect. The highly-athletic former college defensive end has been unable to stay healthy and believes he's still battling a knee issue, though the Titans think otherwise. Thompson failed to show up to his physical ahead of minicamp earlier this week. Jun 18 - 5:23 PM

Titans TE Taylor Thompson is having knee issues.

He also missed his physical before minicamp and could be subject to a fine. It's unknown if the injury will require surgery. Thompson has caught just 11-of-23 targets since entering the league in 2012. Delanie Walker is locked in as Tennessee's starting tight end. Jun 16 - 2:49 PM

Thompson hasn't been able to shake a Week 3 knee injury. He's missed a golden opportunity in a Titans offense that is in full-blown evaluation mode. On 55 snaps this season, Thompson reeled in 2-of-4 targets for 24 yards. Through three seasons, he has just 11 grabs for 83 yards and one score. Thompson may be running out of time. He's been a name to watch in deep Dynasty leagues the past couple years, but his plus athleticism has yet to translate to the NFL after playing defensive end at SMU. Wed, Nov 5, 2014 10:37:00 AM

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Once upon a time, Thompson was an intriguing deep Dynasty prospect. The highly-athletic former college defensive end has been unable to stay healthy and believes he's still battling a knee issue, though the Titans think otherwise. Thompson failed to show up to his physical ahead of minicamp earlier this week.

He also missed his physical before minicamp and could be subject to a fine. It's unknown if the injury will require surgery. Thompson has caught just 11-of-23 targets since entering the league in 2012. Delanie Walker is locked in as Tennessee's starting tight end.

Thompson hasn't been able to shake a Week 3 knee injury. He's missed a golden opportunity in a Titans offense that is in full-blown evaluation mode. On 55 snaps this season, Thompson reeled in 2-of-4 targets for 24 yards. Through three seasons, he has just 11 grabs for 83 yards and one score. Thompson may be running out of time. He's been a name to watch in deep Dynasty leagues the past couple years, but his plus athleticism has yet to translate to the NFL after playing defensive end at SMU.

Taylor Thompson caught three passes for 39 yards in Saturday's preseason game against the Falcons.

A converted defensive end, Thompson has shown significant progress this preseason while catching 11 passes for 128 yards through three games. He's not going to pass Delanie Walker this year, but is worth monitoring in Dynasty formats.

Continuing to build on his promising August, the converted defensive end now has eight grabs for 89 yards through two exhibition affairs. Thompson is a significantly better athlete than Delanie Walker and Craig Stevens. If Thompson keeps this up, the Titans will have to find ways to get him on the field.

Titans TE Taylor Thompson is now considered a "roster lock" after opening camp on the bubble.

Thompson is getting mixed into first-team two-tight end packages behind Delanie Walker and Craig Stevens, and TEs coach Mike Mularkey recently called Thompson "a very good run blocker." Thompson, 25 in October, is worth monitoring in Dynasty leagues, but isn't roster-able at this point. He still has great athleticism with a 37-inch vertical and 4.55 speed at 6-foot-6, 259.

Thompson played 272 snaps last year, but was a non-factor on offense. He's competing for the No. 3 tight end job behind Delanie Walker and Craig Stevens. The Nashville Tennessean expects Thompson to push for an expanded role in the receiving game. Thompson has just nine catches through two seasons and may never develop into more than a red-zone target.

The Tennessean's Jim Wyatt pegged Titans TE Taylor Thompson as a player who could see a bigger offensive role this season.

A converted defensive end, Thompson has been used sparingly on offense with only nine receptions on 18 targets through two seasons in the NFL. Thompson is a project that may never develop into an offensive threat. He will serve as the No. 3 tight end behind Delanie Walker and Craig Stevens.

Thompson was elevated into Tennessee's primary tight end role with Craig Stevens inactive and Delanie Walker leaving following a first-quarter concussion. He dropped two passes and looks to be still a project deep into his second NFL season. Thompson is a converted defensive end out of SMU.

Taylor Thompson caught a nine-yard touchdown pass in the Titans' Week 10 loss to the Jaguars.

Thompson caught six passes as a rookie in 2012; this was his first reception of the 2013 season. A former college defensive end, Thompson is still developing. He's the No. 3 tight end behind Delanie Walker and Craig Stevens.

According to Pro Football Focus, just 31 percent of TE Taylor Thompson's snaps last season came on a play where he went out for a pass.

A converted defensive end, Thompson rarely saw the field as a rookie and didn't play more than 25 offensive snaps in a game until Week 16. The Titans moved on from Jared Cook this offseason, so Thompson is a candidate for an expanded role as a red-zone target. Delanie Walker will enter training camp as the favorite for the starting tight end job.

Thompson, a converted defensive end, was far too raw to see real playing time in his rookie season. But if he can turn the corner in his development, there's plenty of opportunity for the 6'6/259 athlete. Jared Cook is a free agent and Craig Stevens is a blocker. Keep an eye on Thompson's upside.

A converted defensive end from SMU, Thompson was a fifth-round pick in April's draft. He finished his first NFL season with six receptions for just 46 yards and no scores. Blessed with big-time physical ability, Thompson will be a player to monitor during the offseason with Jared Cook ticketed for unrestricted free agency. There is some belief that Thompson could be a Rob Gronkowski-type player once he learns how to play the tight end position.

Titans rookie TE Taylor Thompson has struggled in his first training camp, transitioning from college defensive end to NFL tight end.

The fifth-round pick's struggles are obviously forgivable, but also confirm he won't be making a first-year fantasy impact. Thompson has had too many fumbles and drops and is still learning to be a pass receiver. He has stood out on special teams, though, which should keep Thomas on the game-day roster initially.

Depth Charts

Lovelocke (6'5/248) was a four-year starter for the PVAMU Panthers, completing 57.6 percent of his senior-year passes with a 16:9 TD-to-INT ratio and ten additional rushing scores. A massive quarterback with 10 1/2-inch hands and 34 1/4-inch arms, Lovelocke has ideal tight end dimensions and could get a look there after running 4.81/4.84 at his Pro Day with a 31-inch vertical and 9-foot-5 broad jump. Lovelocke isn't going to make it as a quarterback.

The Chiefs used a 2012 sixth-round pick on Gray. He appeared in 35 games the past three seasons, mainly on special teams. He's rushed for 99 career yards and one touchdown on 24 carries as the No. 3 back. Gray suffered a torn ACL in November and is now healthy enough where the Chiefs could cut him.

Copeland (5-foot-11 1/8, 271) went to LSU as a four-star defensive tackle, but converted to fullback as a true freshman and became a 22-game starter. What Copeland lacks in versatility -- he's no more than a short-yardage runner and caught seven career passes at LSU -- he makes up for with aggressive, relentless lead blocking. An extremely physical player, Copeland consistently removed linebackers from plays to clear alleys for Jeremy Hill. Dallas isn't a great landing spot for Copeland, however, due to OC Scott Linehan's pass-happy leanings.

Cardinals undrafted WR Damond Powell was shot on Friday, but did not suffer life-threatening injuries.

The incident happened in Powell's hometown of Toledo, Ohio. According to FOX10TV.com, Powell was sitting in his driveway with friends when he was shot in the face. Standing in at 5-foot-11, 180 pounds, Powell is a slot prospect out of Iowa. It's unclear if he'll be ready for training camp this week.